mlehikoinen Posted June 20, 2011 Report Share Posted June 20, 2011 I have a customer that thought she had a solid wood coffee table (which she is asking me to refinish) that had been made by her friend's father. I'll admit the same as it was a 2" thick top. It had been painted black before she took ownership, but the bottom was untouched and looked like several boards glued together. Although I'll let her decide if she wants to go forward with the job or not, my question is as follows: She would like the corners altered to have a 2" radius (thinking safety for young heads). With solid wood banding already in place, how would you wrap the corner with banding? I don't have a steam box, so that's out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulMarcel Posted June 20, 2011 Report Share Posted June 20, 2011 Likely easier to remove the existing banding than try to exactly match it and join to it. For the corners, you could redo the whole banding with thin strips 1/16" thick; keep wrapping until you have enough banding. This is a PITA and glue lines will be your enemy (but if you do it, use a band clamp...) I think I'd cut the corners out of solid stock. Make the inside radius match the outside radius of the corner. Cut the corner so the grain goes diagonally. You'd want to sand this to a much higher grit than the new edging or use any other blotch-control type technique since the corner will expose all end-grain. Funny about the particle board. My parents have a huge 'Walnut' bedroom set. Only 2 years ago they figured out it was veneered particle board. Still, not bad for 44+ years. It was either high-end veneering or they just knew how to do it better back then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulMarcel Posted June 20, 2011 Report Share Posted June 20, 2011 Sorry, meant to add... if you do want to steam bend the edging, it isn't very big... get a chunk of PVC pipe for sprinklers... 3/4" - 1" ID. Push the banding into the tube and put a funnel on the bottom end; place it over the spout of a kettle you'll keep boiling. Don't cap the other end as you'll want the steam to continue through and out or get too much condensation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlehikoinen Posted June 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2011 Thanks! Once I have the go-ahead, I may just try that steam bending technique Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jHop Posted June 23, 2011 Report Share Posted June 23, 2011 I think Wood Magazine had an article a few years ago about a home built steam bending set up. It included forms and clamping aids, not just how to build a steam chamber from PVC / S&D pipe (and paul-marcel's tea kettle). Haven't tried it yet, but I'm planning it... in four or so years... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted June 24, 2011 Report Share Posted June 24, 2011 here are some sites that helped me set up a bending area in classroom just got a tea pot for steam not ideal. http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Manual-Wood-Bending-Laminated/dp/0941936546/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1306196232&sr=8-2 i have been told this is a good book on bending but i have not read it just yet http://www.popularwoodworking.com/techniques/bending_wood_the_wright_way cold bending Kirf bending not my favorite method http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nCHQ_49szU&feature=related huge bending table....(what i want in my shop) bending huge fluted beams http://www.lulu.com/items/volume_1/55000/55471/1/print/55471.pdf http://www.allwoodwork.com/article/woodwork/methods_of_bending_wood.htm http://www.leevalley.com/us/html/05F1501ie.pdf (very usefull for making bending table for jigs off all types of bends) http://www.valuecreatedreview.com/bentwood.htm (work fast as it cools and dries quickly) this was also usefull on wood and thickness of material ect... usefull sites Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted June 24, 2011 Report Share Posted June 24, 2011 http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-steambox-for-bending-wood/ steam box http://www.routerworkshop.com/woodbending.html jig building bending wood in microwave a wall paper steamer will work great for general shop bending cheap only 50-100 dollers. If its realy small you can use tea pot for a foot or less and if its both small and thin soak wood and microwave that will make the wood more plastic like. they put wood turned bowls in microwave to soften the wood and then they can make a lip on bowl. good luck and let me know how it turns out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlehikoinen Posted June 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2011 Actually, the customer was mad when I told her about the particle board. Said no way she was going to waste money on cheap crap. But she asked me to price out a solid wood replica. Sweet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlehikoinen Posted June 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2011 Oh, forgot to say thanks for all the links. Nice sources Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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